What to Look for in a Top Entrepreneurship Program

Presented by Our Partner Schools:

Rapid technology innovation and new ways of thinking in the 21st Century create a ripe landscape for the entrepreneurial-minded student. Do you dream of working for yourself, or breaking new ground in a particular field? Consider how an undergraduate or graduate business degree in Entrepreneurship can help set you on your way. Find out what to look for in a top entrepreneurship program with advice from both the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business and the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University.

Students at Utah Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute.

Find Entrepreneurship Programs With Defining Experiences, and Funding

The top-ranked graduate and undergraduate programs in entrepreneurship at the University of Utah allow students to get an unmatched level of hands-on experience that helps them stand out and achieve more when starting companies and applying for jobs. Through the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business, students have access to $500,000 in grants, $700,000 in scholarships, dozens of startup support programs and the new Lassonde Studios building. The five-story facility sits in the middle of campus and is dedicated to student entrepreneurship and innovation. While taking advantage of these opportunities, entrepreneurship students at the University of Utah join thousands of their peers from across campus who are involved in entrepreneurship.

The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University offers two signature academic offerings that provide undergraduate students with a unique educational experience that will distinguish them throughout their careers: the “Entrepreneurship Co-Op” and the capstone “Launch-It” course.

Donna De Carolis, Dean of the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, explains: “In the tradition of Drexel University’s distinguished co-op program in which students work for various companies for three six-month periods over the course of their education, the Close School offers an “Entrepreneurship Co-Op.” If selected to be the recipient of an “Entrepreneurship Co-op,” students receive the $15,000.00 funding, free incubation space in our Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, active coaching, and mentoring. The Entrepreneurship Co-Op offers the ultimate competitive advantage to students as they can pursue their big ideas with financial, physical, and mentor support.“

“We also offer funding through our capstone “Launch-It” course, in which each student or team receives up to $2000.00 in funding to jumpstart their new venture-- in addition to the coaching and mentoring during the course.”

Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University.

Find Entrepreneurship Programs With a Balanced Curriculum

The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship offers a unique curriculum to develop both the ‘individual as the entrepreneur’ as well as the ‘process of entrepreneurship.’

Chuck Sacco, Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives, explains, “All of our courses focus on the personal skills and attitude that comprise an entrepreneurial mindset-- an innovative approach to thinking and doing. Our school is founded on the belief that an entrepreneurial mindset and toolkit is necessary for a student’s profession and career. Courses such as “Ready, Set, Fail,” which focuses on learning from failure, are invaluable in helping to develop a wide set of personal skills such as opportunity recognition, initiative, calculated daring, communication, and resilience. We believe being able to think strategically, creatively and ethically, while having confidence in your skills, are the most important tools students can possess-- whether they enter the job market or launch their own business.”

The entrepreneurship curriculum at the David Eccles School of Business enables students to experience entrepreneurship in both theory and practice. The award-winning faculty, academic scholars and seasoned practitioners teach entrepreneurship, innovation and value creation through new venture formation and innovative strategies. Coursework covers building blocks such as ideation, innovative business models, venture funding, strategy, product development, entrepreneurial marketing and social entrepreneurship. Students can also apply classroom learning by participating in experiential programs through the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute.

Advice For Finding a Top Entrepreneurship Program

”For entrepreneurial-minded individuals who are considering an MBA, another graduate program or an undergraduate degree, the University of Utah offers a unique combination of quality academic theory, hands-on application at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and mentored leadership opportunities. These benefits, combined with a campus that embraces entrepreneurship and a supportive entrepreneurial community, allow students to use their entrepreneurial training to differentiate themselves in a competitive job search or to start their own company, all while enjoying the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with easy access to world-class skiing, biking and more.” - University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business, Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute

“What you learn through entrepreneurship education can be applied in many different contexts. You may start a new venture, become a social entrepreneur, or find job opportunities in a company looking to innovate in an increasingly complex world. Your choice of entrepreneurship education should be able to address each of these areas and prepare you for a continually evolving job market that is uncertain, independent, and skills-driven. You should also consider the importance of location and ensure that you are learning in a strong entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, one that provides you with multiple ways to explore new opportunities whether those are ones that you develop or ones that are part of your university’s local ecosystem.” - Chuck Sacco, Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University